Mobile Ministry Magazine

Web Worker Daily recently posted an article titled 5 Essentials for the Mobile Web Worker where they looked at 5 pieces of hardware and software that would be essential for the mobile web worker. Here are some of mine:

• Removable memory card with backup of data
• Solio solar portable battery charger
• Bluetooth external keyboard

Given that my setup is based on a smartphone and Internet Tablet it might be different than yours. Seeing that many pastors are moving towards a similar type of setup - laptop computer, Wi-Fi- hotspot, and online applications - what are your essential tools?

Bonus: And what things do you have in place when those tools aren't working due to environment/finances/etc.?

Labels: Hardware, mobile, mobile accessories, mobility, N75, N800, software, tech

This "conversation" is actially a report that I've filed recently to the Nokia S60 Ambassadors Program. While this fits their purposes, I hope that it sheds some light as to the conversations that mobile technoogy can involve us into, and if we be willing listeners, we can learn something that would help shape mobile use and community engagement on Gospel levels.

This Monday even started out similar to ones in the past where I met members of my church for Bible study. They have become accustomed to me using mobile technology during the study. This week, I had the Sony Mylo along with the N800 and was using the Wi-Fi and coffeehouse environment to compare the user interfaces towards using public Wi-Fi connections and what kind of web-usability is possible with the Mylo compared to what I know with the N800.

The Community Life pastor first asked me about the devices in seeing both tablets. He mentioned that something in the size of an Internet Tablet was appealing to him because he notices that he doesn't so much need the laptop as much as he needs access to the information. I gave him the Mylo to play with first and just looked at some general impressions he had while using it. After some play with it, and a few bits of frustration, he then moved to playing with the N800. He remarked that the N800 had a better feel and felt more polished in the touchscreen and user interface. The conversation with him then moved towards speaking about open source software - as that is an area that he is learning about - and how the Internet Tablet fits in this philosophy, especially in ministry settings with small churches.

The senior pastor came in and also took to trying the Mylo first. Like the first pastor, he had difficulty in navigating the user interface. However, because he had not had any type of hands on with the tablet devices before, he was filled with more questions (cost, availability, applications, etc.). After some frustrating moments in looking up some information with Gmail, he then moved to the N800. Like the first pastor, he said that he felt more comfortable. During the course of the conversation, he asked about the cost of the wireless service. He also wanted to know some websites that he could take advantage of (Google Apps being the most important). The conversation then led into how we could better use our church website and where a device like the Internet Tablets could come in handy.

Both said that they came away with a better understanding of how handheld tech could fit, but they were both looking at things from different vantage points. The first pastor was familiar with the Palm M125 and liked that kind of simplicity, but wanted the free-form of the Moleskin notebook that he uses for writing notes. The senior pastor was more impressed that such technology was available and said that it would be something that he would look into purchasing as it would fill a connectivity need.

Labels: community, internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, mobility, Mylo, N800, Nokia, tech

Since moving to using the N800 and N75 as my computing devices, I've had a bit of a quandary when its come to using the devices for Bible study and church. One main issue has been search. Its not so much of an issue on the N75 with the S60 Bible reader - this Bible reader is a lot like the Bible+ reader that has IMO the best user interface for searching for verses when you know the verse you are looking for in either term or address.

The problem comes when I am using the N800. There, I am usually writing notes and want to go back and forth with Rapier and Bible Gateway (yes, I use both at the same time). While I can get to many verses or notes, its cumbersome, and I have gone to the point of putting the devices down and just listening out of frustration.

I read a post about how one can look up Bible references from the web with Logos and it really hit that what I needed (in some cases) was just a better way to get the verses down do that the N800 can give me what I am looking for.

The way that Logos works, according to the post, its pretty much as simple as pointing Logos to the web page where you want to pull the verse from, and then the library shows the verses in another screen. This method really works best when you have a web page that has all the verses listed, and then the browser is open to that page, and the person is in Logos - kinda like one of those options we talked about before.

Here is a bit more detail about the process:

Libronix will quickly find all the Bible references mentioned and add them to your verse list in the order in which they appear on the web page. You can then decide how you'd like to view them. The default is to show only the references without the text. Double clicking those references will open them in your preferred Bible allowing you to read them in their contexts, compare them with other versions, or dig into your study Bibles and commentaries. If you'd like to see the text of the verses along with the references, you can select "References and Text in One Column" or "References and Text in Two Columns."

In looking at this just in the context of Bible software. It would seem that the best way to take advantage of this is have some sort of outline in some kind of container (RSS) that a program could use and then using the ability of that program to take notes, one would have all the verses they need and could just concentrate on listening to the lesson and engaging in the discussion.

Labels: Bible, Bible+, internet tablet, Logos, N800, Rapier, S60 Bible Reader, software, study

As much as I harp on my Internet Tablet and what doesn't work, I like to also talk about when things come along that are just neat, and have the benefit of having a positive effect on ministry pursuits.

Here's the news, in a few posts, we'll chat about how this has implications for one particular area of ministry where mobile tech and affluence tend to leave behind.

Here's the snippet from Internet Tablet Talk:

The opposite trend has started in the Smartphone world. The desire is to have more content, more details, thus more pixels on the display. The human eyes, especially of elderly people are limited in useable pixel-density. Thus, the size of the display increases. The physical dimensions of mobile devices are not allowed to increase further due to the pocketability constraint. Therefore the display resolution of the built-in display will remain limited. This leads in comparison Smartphone to PC to a disappointing feeling: Overview is still too limited! Alternative form factors such as rollable, foldable and any other kind of flexible display still need to mature for future deployment.

noBounds demonstrates the optimal way out of this dilemma to have a tiny Smartphone, AND utilize high definition (HD) displays by introducing a versatile and highly efficient interaction with external high resolution displays!

Read the rest at Internet Tablet Talk and watch the video below.

Labels: internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, N800, N810, Nokia, tech

Not being a programmer in the sense of developing applications, I have a large appareciation for those who can stand to listen to hoards of feature requests and feedback that comes on the heels of a popular application. This is something that I've realized first hand as the webmaster for Bible+.

Now again, I see the need to just put out there that a developer is in need of help, not only in terms of development, but also in terms of what could be done with the Rapier Bible reader application.

Over at Internet Tablet Talk, there has been a thread started asking for help and feature request for Rapier. One can also sign up for the mailing list and submit items that way as well.

Much like Bible+, this is a single person who is devoting some spare time to enable those with an alternative device to read the Word. Let's encourage him in prayer and feedback where possible.

For more information about Rapier, or to download it for your Internet Tablet, visit the Rapier page at the Maemo Garage.

Labels: Bible, community, N800, Nokia, Rapier, software

A bit ago, we talked about Tim Samoff and his giving away of a second Nokia N810 Internet Tablet to a prorgammer of his choice. After reading about the person that was chosen and the reason why, I have to say that I am throughly impressed, and humbled at the choice, the process for the choice, and the action that the recepient will be undertaking.

That is, in my opinion, mobile ministry as what it should be.

Labels: community, gifts, internet tablet, N800, Nokia

So I finally have been able to get a Bible onto my N800 Internet Tablet. And this is a good thing, except that I should have done this Monday when I made the decision that I wanted to blog a bible study. In thinking about how to expand the ability to spread the wealth (so to speak) when it comes to a Bible study; I wanted to blog the study and then go back and link the verses and highlight the notes in order to have something that is not just good for me, but for any who decide that they are studying on a particular piece of the Bible and wanted to have some modern commentary along with their study.

So instead of a study that was done with Rapier and posted via Wordply; I just rolled along with a simple study using BibleGateway and the browser, along with the built in Notes application. Simple on both accounts and mostly effective. The following are the lightly edited notes of the study as I intended to post them:

Title: Blogging A Bible Study Via A Tablet

Tool: Maemo WordPly beta

Purpose: To investigate the ability to blog a Bible study, and the hypertext social constructs of meeting in a place where mobility is now an assumed cultural norm.

Some goals: To outline, write personal and community notes (annotated properly), and to later insert links to relevant verses that pertain to the discussion; to then share the entire study as a blog posting on Mobile Ministry Magazine

Ironically, I am starting this offline because I am having issues getting connected via the network here in the coffeehouse (It's A Grind). Not that I am complaining, because I have a really good drink. But this doesn't bode well as a start.

Study of Leviticus
Chapter 8 to (hopefully) the end

Where did it take place: Sinai
How Long; About 14 months
Types of offerings (he used candy analogies to describe these): chocolate and bitter
- what was also required on a guilt offering: pay the person back 120%
- Some sins have different consequences, but all are sin in the same weight

Chapter 8-10: The Priesthood
Chpt. 8: do this, o
Chapter 9:1-7, 22-24
- one of the signs to be completed consumes means that it was accepted
- There was a specific order, and now instead of there just being Moses as the priest, now Aaron and the sons take over those responsibilities
- the theme of Leviticus being holiness
Chapter 10: incorrect offering by the sons of Aaron
- how we do things is more important than what weee do

Clean and Unclean (Chapters 11-19)
- usually those things temp clean or unclean had to do with humans
- this was done for distinction from other cultures
- an aspect of hygiene that was not observed (personal note)
- What did God have in mind about this that it was not so much the rules, but the consequences behind what we do that effect other people
- year of jubilee
- these principles are in place for a specific order; are we distinctly set apart as Christians because of these

Chapter 19
v9-19: the justice of God; this hierarchy is for order

Chapter 20
penalties for social and family disobedience

Feasts
- there were seven feasts
- God was a hands on God who engaged the senses of the faithful
- passover; feast of unleavened bread; feast of first-fruits; Pentecost (50 days after the 7th sabbath); feast of the trumpets; day of atonement; feast of booths/tabernacles

Chapter 24, Year of jubilee

Chapter 26:
v3-5: if you do these things then you will prosper; the reason to bless them was to display God's holiness, for them to be distinct and bring fame to God not themselves
- cannot have the mindset that the blessings is for you, but meant to make you distinct for God
[end]

I should mention here that the study we are doing is a light OT survey. For such a study, its good to have the ability to annotate/tag items for reference, but also relate them to other resources so that one is adept in discussions later. My setup with the IT did not maximize on these points, but the building blocks are there for such integration.

A big thanks too DWatts and all the rest who have been very encouraging in helping me to get Rapier installed on the IT; now let's see what can be done to change things up a bit.

Labels: Bible, community, internet tablet, mobile accessories, mobiles, N800, software, Sword Project

In giving tech, I've always tried to maintain a standard where I would only give to a person that has need, and to a situation where the person can take advantage of the item with as little negative disruption as possible. For that reason, I find it fun to give away devices that I no longer use. For one, it keeps my gadget closet pretty empty, but also provides a means for someone else to gain accessiblity that I've enjoyed. For example, my recent move to the N75 left my Treo 680 without a user. I ended up giving it to an entreprenur in Charlotte who had been struggling with having a working calendar and phone solution for her endavors.

Two people in the blogsphere also seem to carry this mantra of gifting are Sammy McLoughlin and Tim Samoff. Sammy McLoughlin runs the website Palm Addict is is quite frequent in giving away devices that he no longer uses in frequent give-aways. From smartphones to laptops to memory cards to mobile accessories. He's got a ton of things that come across his desk, and does an excellent job in making sure that others are empowered towards not just using their devices, but talking about how they use it so that a community of users can benefit. The current giveaway is of a 15in Apple Powerbook. Considering all the folks I know who like Apple, I'm sure that he will get a lot of solid feedback towards mobililty for this one.

Tim Samoff is another who's recently jumped into the giving game. Tim recently received a Nokia N810 Internet Tablet from the good folks at Maemo (the Internet Tablet developement folks). The thing is, he already has an N810 and so has decided to donate it to a deserving software developer. Tim's asking for comments at his blog and the Internet Tablet Talk website towards whom might be the deserving receipient.

Its really neat to be associated with people who understand that technology means more when you can give it to someone who'll do something really cool with it. That's one of the reasons for doing MMM on my end, and its good to know that those gifts become gifts all around.

Labels: Apple, community, gifts, internet tablet, N800

So I last left things with me getting to the Rapier website and reading over the instructions. I felt confident after a few days that things would be fine (battling a cold too).

So I connected to the N800 via Bluetooth to my phone and proceeded to download Rapier via the Application Manager (neat feature by the way). No dice. The download didn't finish.

Because I was on a call while downloading, I just attributed it to me doing a lot on the phone and just needed to try it again. So I did...

5 times.

And each time the download failed at the very end of the download. I know that I am not doing anything wrong, so I pretty much planned to go another route. I would download Rapier directly to the device and then install.

So this I did. But what I downloaded wasn't the entire program, just a link to enable the Application Manager to install it. So the download started again, and failed again.

By this point it was nearly 1am and I needed to sleep (recovering from a cold and needing to go to work). So right now I am at an impass. How do I at least get Rapier installed? Thoughts anyone?

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, Sword Project

Being that I am on the tablet more often than not these days, I am looking for ways to use it to enhance what I already do with tech. One of those areas in particular is in that of reading, studying, and journaling the Bible. While its pretty easy usually to find Bible readers on other mobile computing platforms, it proved to be a bit more difficult for me with the IT. Add to that, some aspects of installing and getting rolling with using a Bible on the IT have been a lesson in patience and understanding Linux a bit more.

This is a (small) journal of my experiences in downloading, installing, and using a Bible on my IT.

- Tipped to a recent update of Rapier at Jaiku, I made my way over to the Rapier homepage to bone up on Rapier and see if it would be suitable enough to meet my needs.

- Things looked fine, so I downloaded Rapier per the instructions on the site (which took a bit to understand); I then looked for how to download and install a Bible

- Found the Bibles at the Sword Library's website. Though no instructions there on how to install the Bibles to the tablet. Went back to Rapier's homepage to look for instructions there.

It was at this moment that I got a good bit perturbed, and at the same time understand why only the brave ones take a hand in Linux.

I'll continue this one a bit later. But I can say that from this point, things get a little complicated and I don't exactly make it through the install pain free. Stay tuned.

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, Sword Project

I'd like to keep these things to a minimum, but in speaking with a brother about the possiblities of a hybrid Bible application (for smartphones, Internet Tablets, and laptops alike), it hit me that there was something that was already present that just kinda made me feel incensed about the whole thing.

Bible software/websites are made for those that have access to them, not necessarly those that need them.

For example, one would think that YouVersion would be a really nice piece of web-based software to use on a smartphone or Internet Tablet. But its not; the site doesn't reformat itself for use on those types of mobile devices. Despite the higher proliferation of mobile phones, much of what is out there is geared towards those in the Body who are more affluent and have more powerful equipment.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that everything needs to be broken down to the user of a 10 year old Nokia 3555. But when developing software that is supposed to enable and encourage reading, studying, and discipliship, is anyone taking into account those that don't even have access to the latest and greatest hardware to do so.

I wanted to jump into using YouVersion on the N800 a few days ago and used the tablet to sign up. But no matter what zoom levels I used, the site was just unusable on such a device. I know I'm not the least of these, but shouldn't revolutionary Bible software/services be a bit more than AJAX and Web 2.0-isms? Shouldn't it be accessible? Shouldn't it allow us to interact with the Word in ways that we hadn't before?

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, tech

Having gotten back into using the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, I have wanted to move into one of the main reasons that I have for getting it - to invogorate how I read, study, and journal the Bible. That being said, there has not been a lot done in this area on the Internet Tablet, and part of it is probably because no-one really knows what to do.

Let's start with a few simple situations, and then go from there:

- You are at a cafe on a nice day, and would like to read the Bible. There is wifi and so using it would be preferred. Services such as iPocketBible, eBible, and YouVersion are available, and so you read and do. While they are different in what they offer, the key thing here is that you have the ability to read while online, and do a few things on top of that.

- You are in the car as a passenger, and would like to continue your reading that you started at the cafe. Being that you are not near a hotspot, the only options for connecting online would be through your mobile phone. However, that could get expensive quickly. So you decide to fire up a bible reader and go from there. And yes, that works too, but the notes are a seperate application, and you just lost your place that you had in the online version you were reading.

- You are at home, away from the fuss of a day and want to dig in a bit deeper to the passages you were reading before. So you fireup the browser, the bible reader, and the notes application. And then have at your side a few additional references that you use when studying. This only lasts for a few minutes though before you decide to move completely to paper and pen because of the constant switching that has to happen.

In looking at the situations described above, one can see the benefits and the disadvantages of reading a Bible on an electronic device. When the Bible is so seperated from the tasks of reading, studying, and sharing, what should be a convience becomes a chore.

So my proposal/question is to make a better Bible reader for mobile devices that takes these situations into account. One part of this is the Bibles, another part of this notes, and yet another part is the user interface of it all.

I see a good platform on my Internet Tablet in terms of the Notes application. But I am not yet sure if it is something that can be extended by the way of plugins to other programs. Because being able to plug in the Notes app to the browser would make for an easy way to bookmark and annotate passages.

Then I also see the good stuff in terms of web applications for reading the Bible, but there has to be a way to save content on the device (even if for a short time) so that one could read when there is no Internet connection.

When I think about reading effectively on mobile devices, motivation to read is one part. But having a tool that works effecitvely is another that is usually the stumbling block.

Labels: Bible, community, internet tablet, N800, Nokia, reading, tech, usablity

Sitting at a coffeehouse while typing this on an N800 Internet Tablet is pretty neat. But in doing so, I have this idea that this should be only a part of what I do to engage the tech.

I was asked last night about some of my goals, and one of them is to make a full transistion from one who acquires tech knowledge and is known for doing so, to a person who is empowering others through technology, whether they are mobile, technological, or something else entirely. I look at what Bill Gates is doing in his stepping down from Microsoft to work for his foundation that will be seeking to educate and find cures for those diseases that sap the life from developing communities. This is the kind of transistion that I want to make, and I am finally feeling like this is possible.

As a ministry, MMM is a resource that aims to educate Christians on ways of using mobile technology as parts of their own ministry endavors. We've transistioned the content though from being so instructional though to purpose and effectiveness driven. Where we speak on those issues that relate to life and faith at the intersection of technology, and then what are our responses - whether that is is educating, empowering, or warning. As a user and analyist of this stuff, I feel like taking it to that step further. That step where the mobile tech is an agent of the change that brings all that Christ is to those around me.

As a user, this excites me. As a Christian though, this sparks me.

Labels: community, internet tablet, mission, mobile, N800, tech

In airing last week that I am moving to a new device, there's also a bit of a change that I'd like to do that is a lot more far reaching. I'd like to make an effort in this coming year to be a almost-always mobile blogger. Meaning that I'd like to not just post the occasional post to the blog, but even go as far as produce and admin all the content for it.

Doing this is going to be a good bit of a challenge. The major hurdle will be getting the devices and accessories needed to make this happen. Right now I have the 3G phone, but looking at either expanding that to the N95-3 (US 3G super phone) or just getting an Internet Tablet and running from there.

Sidenote: the N95 would allow a good bit more play in terms of creating multimedia-themed aspects to things (here and elsewhere), while making outreach something that will challenge perceptions. The Internet Tablet aspect is more personal and would allow for the investigation of reading and study solutions that haven't been pursued as much.

I've gotten a keyboard ($30 at Amazon). But then I'll need to make sure that my charging solutions are together (car and solar are already on tap).

After that, it will be a matter of just doing it. And by it I mean everything. As it stands right now, there is not a suitable web/offline application that works as a great reading, studying, and journaling Bible (still). That's something that I'd like to see (and would help develop if time permits). I'd need a suitable platform to admin this blog, and might even have to move to another platform to make that easier. And then there is the web/offline office apps that I'd use. Its a lot that I'd be pushing to happen on this move, much of which I've aired in part before, but will be a bit louder about making happen.

In a recent Brighthand editorial, I mentioned that moving away from the the Treo the the N75 was like changing into a new relationship. And in a lot of ways it is. But the kicker is that I've made this change so that I can walk even more fully into the mobile life that will probably define most of the rest of my 20s (not that many more to go there). I think there is value enough in what's to come that I'm willing to push out and try something not-yet-done.

My only hope is that I don't reach too far, else no-one benefits from this, and I end up with a nice sized empty wallet. I've already seen this happen with my inability to get to BibleTech 2008. I've got to make sure that this move is a good bit more planned, and then executed so that the intersection of what works and what doesn't in terms of faith and tech, is made clear.

Labels: Bible, BibleTech, internet tablet, mobile, mobile accessories, N800, N95, software, tech

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend weekly Bible study with a new piece of technology. A Palm LifeDrive that has been donated was getting a workout to ensure that it worked fine and I used Bible study as the event to test it out. The goals were to see how well it would work with a keyboard for writing notes, how would I be able to deal with using it for a Bible, and how it worked alongside my Treo (the Treo playing the Bible and the LifeDrive playing the notes device).

When I got to the coffeehouse - we hold our Bible study in a coffeehouse - I pulled out the LifeDrive (LD) and set it up with my Palm Universal Wireless keyboard. Connecting to the infrared keyboard was easy (I synced the driver to the LD before I went to the study). Throughout the study, the keyboard and LD stayed responsive to one another.

After that, it was just a matter of answering a few questions about the "new device that I [am] carrying now" and all was underway.

Some Positives
Having a larger screen that what was on my Treo was a big benefit. Also, with the device not being a phone, I did not have to worry about SMS/calls interrupting my reading or writing of notes.

The screen was bright and easy to read in the coffeehouse setting, and the size of the buttons made it easy to switch from the browser to the memo pad easily.

And Some Negatives
While the keyboard did work well, the LD does not come with the ability to turn the device on its side and see a landscape view. This made typing a little less natural.

The browser on the LD was not up to snuff for viewing eBible or YouVersion. It was able to view ZBible.mobi just fine, but ZBible is just a simple site for reading; it does not offer an ability to bookmark, write/save notes, and share them. This is one of the reasons why I'm so adamant about better Bible readers.

I fired up the browser to get the LD online with the coffeehouse Wi-Fi which was pretty simple. However, because of the screen and power settings, this was something that I would have to repeat a few times during the study. Unfortunately, the LD does not have a setting where you can stay connected to a wireless access point even after the screen has turned off (this might need a software update, which has yet to be installed).

Overall
I did this experiment on one end to see how a two device solution would work for Bible studies. Obviously, this is not something that all people can do (cost), but there are benefits that can be had when a small handheld or mini-notebook device can be used in the mist of a Bible study. The ability to write and share notes is a big thing; but more than that, one can use online resources to look up information that would further enhance the conversation (we were studying the book of Exodus, so there's a lot that we could pull).

The other reason I did this was to see how a change in computing would effect me. I'm used to a one device solution, however I am looking at getting an N810 Internet Tablet and would be more apt to use it (and its larger screen/more capabilities) to be a catalyst in learning and sharing the Word. I see a lot of possiblities here, and many of which that can be shared by a lot of non-smartphone-carrying users.

Now how about you. Do you use a mobile device of some kind when you attend Bible studies? What are some of the benefits that you have seen? What are some areas that can be improved? Let's here how devices aide your study :)

Labels: Bible, community, internet tablet, mobile, N800, tech

There are two sides to mobile computing hardware that are sometimes easy to confuse but not always easy to use. Most of the time it is because the combination of size, operating system, wireless needs, and cost rarely meets the expectations of most users. However, the aim of mobile tech is usually to get accessible and usable information in a package that is as easy to manage as possible.

Two devices that are relatively new, yet by no means incapable of meeting this need, and most expectations are the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet and the Asus Eee 701. Both are Linux-based mobile computers. Both have an 800x480 screen (but different physical sizes). Both use some type of internal Flash-based memory (2GB for the N810 and 4 or 8GB depending on cofiguration for the Eee). The only real question for either of these well-priced (under $500 for both) mobiles is whether you need something more pocket-based, or something larger and geared to replace the light work of a laptop.

Thankfully, a solid review by Thoughtfix (UltraMobileGeek) compairing Asus Eee 701 vs. Nokia N810 has been done so you don't have to make that compairson (so much) yourself.

Like the OLPC, these are solid non-Windows alternatives to doing various aspects of computing. I really encourage you to take a look at how you are using your computing hardware, and see if something lower-cost, and more specificly tuned to specific tasks might work for you. There's no need having three high-powered laptops and a server in your home if all you do is browse and email. These solutions are much better, and overall will decrease you time fixing things, and increase your time making sure that your computing tasks are relevant.

Labels: Asus Eee, internet tablet, mobile, N800, tech

When I was rolling with MMM in the summer of 2006, there was a person that I had been going back and forth with on some tech emails at the time. He found me via MMM, and asked for my assistance in setting up a PDA for one of his members (he was a pastor) who was bed-ridden and elderly. I can remember the energy that he had as he spoke about how delighted she was that he would visit with her, and even more than she had something to do when in the bed that was more than the normal crossword puzzle.

This Monday, I was reading about the new N810 at InternetTabletTalk when I clicked on a link to a poster's personal blog. At the time of writing this, I had not gotten past this post, but what I read there was pretty encouraging, and yet showed me in another light an area where mobile tech could be effective in keeping one encouraged when not-so-mobile.

Here is a piece of the post:

...I know I talk about my Nokia N800 Internet Tablet a lot, but I must tell you: It is a life-saver. (In fact, I'm blogging from it right now!) While in bed, I have internet, email, IM, games, FM radio, music, video, etc., all in the palm of my hand. If I had nothing else, my N800 would probably be quite sufficient...

Labels: internet tablet, N800, Nokia, tech, usablity

Straight from InternetTabletTalk (who broke the news earlier today), Nokia has announced a new N-series Internet Tablet, the N810. Being that the model number is incremental, one would expect it to only have a few updates. That looks to be the case until you start looking at the spec list of what is in this device.

Here are some highlighed specs of the N810:
- Smooth slide with integrated QWERTY keyboard
- WLAN standard: IEEE 802.11b/g
- Bluetooth specification v. 2.0. +EDR
- Built-in GPS receiver
- Integrated VGA web camera
- 256MB Flash Memory
- More specs at the Nokia N-series website

As you can already tell, the N810 is a good step up from the N800. It is also a good deal smaller than the N800, more or less getting rid of a lot of the non-screen area that the N800 had. Battery life is slated to be much better, as is processor speed, Flash support (supports Flash 9), and VoIP support. In my opinon, the only thing missing is TV-out, because that would essentially make the N810 a real computer replacement.

Impressions of the N810 are coming in from all over the net. Here are a few links:
- InternetTabletTalk
- TabletBlog.com by ThoughtFix (really good pictures compared to the N800 too)
- Brighthand
- and all over Jaiku (such as at the NseriesWOMWorld channel)

Pictures linked from Mameo Flikr photostream and Thoughtfix's Flickr photostream

Update: InternetTabletTalk has posted some excellent high-resolution pics of the N810, and one in particular shows it compared the 770 and N800 models. This device is really rubbing off on me as something to be at leat tried out.

Labels: internet tablet, mobile, N800, usablity

One of the barriers to using digital 'anything' as a tool within ministry settings is the fact that being any aspect of digital means that you have some level of affluence. Unfortunately, this does not speak towards the majority of those who need Christ, nor to many who are Christ-followers, and so digital 'anything' and 'everything' has to take a respecctive backset until it has its place.

For example, yesterday I was at the community laundry mat, and per my usual, I had something to eat while talking with a few (random) people. Somehow, and this time not my fault, we got on the subject of phones and a guy pulls out a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. He says that he really likes it, but there was no one even at the store where he bought it that was able to help him.

Of course, Nokia's Blogger Relations helped to make be a bit knowledgable about this device and I was able to help him with his device, and then open a door to conversation that will hopefully lead to him not just deepening his relationship and convictions to Christ, but also making him a light to his community, family and friends.

If you will, we can sometimes be so digitally tuned, that we forget that there were social networks before Facebook, MySpace and Jaiku. Our voice, and the abilities that God has already given us to communicate the truth of His Son to everyone is right there. The digital element is to be used as a part of the speaking piece in the mist of that, not before it.

After that, we'll find that one of the digital hurdles are done. Now, as for the other one of actually digitizing everyone, I am not sure that soemthing like that is needed; but understanding the place for digital even in the lives of those that do not -- and then teaching them the difference -- makes for another part of this life that is a lot less of a hurdle than it was before.

Edit: fixed the spelling and tweaked a few sentences for clarity

Labels: mission, N800, tech

Israel Anderson wrote in on the previous article about the Bible on the iPhone to let us know that he has created the website/web applicaiton God's iPhone (the Bible for iPhone).

According to the website/web app:

This is a minimalist site for iPhone users, like me, who are looking for a Bible application for the iPhone. I will be developing this site LIVE so that you can use it right away and send me feedback. That also means things may break or not work right. Let me know if something isn't working for you or if you think there's a better way. This site will look plain weird on anything but an iPhone. I am a missionary with YWAM. If you would like to support my efforts through your prayer or financial support, I will be very blessed.

Labels: Bible, eBible, GMPSoft, iPhone, Laridian, Logos, mobile, N800, Olivetree, usablity

A few nights ago, Demetri and I tried to use our N800's to do a voice call. Unfortunately, we were not successful and pretty much blamed it on the Google Talk VoIP software that is a part of the N800.

Well, wouldn't you know it that now there is an update to the N800 that includes the popular and versatile Skype VoIP client. And though this release of Skype for the N800 doesn't include voice calling, it does present an interesting solution for thoes of you who might be looking at the N800 and do not have great cellular service in your homes or businesses.

In addition to the Skype addition, the N800's latest update features Adobe Flash Player 9 (the plug-in), support for using SDHC memory cards (meaning memory cards larger than 2GB will work just fine), performance enchancements to netowrking and battery life, and a slew of bug fixes.

I downloaded the update eariler via a link from Matt's post at the Mobile Gadgetteer. But you can easily perform the update by connecting your device to your computer and running the N800 Internet Tablet Software Updater application (if you are really bold, check out the posting at Maemo.org and try some other builds). It will see the latest version and then update your device. It should take about 10-15 minutes to do the download and then install.

There are a few new aspects to the N800 that I am exploring as I wanted to make this update a completly clean one, and so I did no backup. So far so good and performance is really snappy.

Jump in yourself and check out the N800 if you haven't already. As an Internet applicance, it really does rank way up there. And considering that you don't need a contract to have one, it makes also for an interesting iPhone alternative (at a lower cost too).

Labels: mobile, N800, Nokia

Was just reading over at phone different (yes, they spell it with lowercase letters) one of the many online overviews/reviews of the iPhone and in the comments was a link to a Bible that would be usable on the iPhone, N800, and other Internet-enabled mobile devices -- as well as right there at your desktop :)

ReadScriptures.com presents a really simple and straight forward interface for having the Bible on your mobile as a web application. Books are segmented by OT, NT, Books of Mormon (?), Doctrine and Covenants, and and PGP (?). There is also a search feature so that you can find specifc scriptures.

Note: From the looks of things, this seems to be a Bible reference geared to the Morman audience. While I myself am not a Morman, I do respect the resource that was presented and hence why I've made an effort to post about it.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, N800

UPDATE (Feb 2007): A year after the iPhone's introduction, there are plenty of iPhone solutions for Bible reading and study. Here are a few:

• iPocketBible by Laridian
• iPhone Bible by Apathy Online
• iPhone Bible (w/LDS)
• iBiblez
• See more at this more recent list

I had intended to wait on this specific question until I was able to read something a bit more official from the various Bible software makers, but it's as good a time as any to talk about the Bible on your iPhone (or Foleo, or N800, or any device for that matter that you cannot save everything on, but have to utilize the Internet).

eBible is a possiblity
The first product/website that I thought of when the iPhone was announced that it would only support application written through the Safari web browser was eBible. Unlike other Bible websites and applications, eBible is a browser-based application that combines the ability to read various translations of the Bible, as well as a bookmarking and notes features. There is a premium edition to eBible that unlocks commentaries and other resources as well.

There's nothing else!!!
Yes, if you have an iPhone, you really do not have any other option. While other internet-enabled devices such as the N800 and Palm Foleo have the ability to have programs written for them that could take advantage of the devices' online/offline ability, to date only the N800 is an available product, and the Bible reader for it is not yet very usable for the casual user even though there is an installer to lighen the process of getting a reader installed (I prefer to use eBible and zbible.mobi on the N800 for the best experience).

The Hybrid Bible Solution
I spoke once before about applications that would have both online and offline components, and I think that the iPhone will help to usher that age of mobile applications in a bit easier. The harder question for these applications will come from the browser side for respective devices. Right now, there are just too many mobile devices that do not have the power or physical ability to have a browser that is as good as a desktop one. And though companies such as Nokia are having great success in making their smartphone platforms a bit more everywhere, the knowledge transfer of getting people to know that their devices do more than text and voice seems to be only something Apple has done well.

Addition: The folks at Laridian have been having a running conversation about MyBible on the iPhone and its possiblity or not of going to that platform. It brings up some interesting points spoken about here.

So yes, you can do the Bible on your iPhone. And if my guess is right, other software makers might look at the eBible solution and do something a bit more accessible to all devices, but similar nonetheless. I do think that the paradigm of how we use Bible readers on mobile devices needs to change if something like this would happen. Here's hoping that some developers out there take a chance and do something like the iPhone that is easy to use, and fits a need.

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, eBible, iPhone, mobile, N800

According to a post at Internet Tablet Talk's forums, the Bible reader Rapier is now a bit easier to get onto one's N800 Internet Tablet via an install file.

According to the site, "Rapier is a python bible reader application for maemo. It uses the Sword library to access bible translations, as well as to search text occurrences in the available books."

Looks like there is an Bible Reader for the N800. Doesn't seem like an easy install, but then again, it could be fun. Comment if you have installed this on your N800 (or are using a Bible reader with the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet). I'm interested in hearing some of the positives and negatives before I take a stab at this.

Thanks to darethehair for the info and link

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, Nokia

I've been playing/working with the N800 for a good while now, and have recently combined with Tiffany Boggs of of TabletPCReview for a review of the N800. Here is a snippet:

...The N800 is great for catching up on those emails and other business uses, but it has some nice entertainment features like I mentioned before. You can watch videos, listen to music and have Web chats, thanks to Internet calling and the Web cam.

It has taken me a while to figure out a place for the N800 in my world of computing, but it does remind me a lot of the Palm T5 that I used to own: powerful in its own right, but with the Internet comes a personal window to a lot more. The included software is easy to learn and the battery life just makes you want to use it more...

Read the entire review at TabletPCReview.

Thanks to the Nokia Blogger Relations Program for lending MMM/me the device for my parts of this review.

Labels: Brighthand, internet tablet, N800, usablity

One of the things that Iam looking at today is how the n800 works as a commuter device. The rss and music player work really well. Though this is a internet device, it can work offliine pretty well.

What is missing though comes in a simple calendar or some integration to a calendar. If this could sync to Google calendar or MS Exchange then I could see this pulling some occasional PIM duty,

I've been playing music for 7+ hours at the time of this writing. This aspect is really impressive. No web and this is the first time writing anything more than a quick note.

I need to find a blogging program that will let me save posts. This could be fun ;)

Now to find that online/offline bible program.

At this point, this is really close to being a solid purchase. If you are not sold on smartphones and find that wifi and customization can work, the n800 is as good as I have used.

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, internet tablet, N800, usablity

While it is that I have really enjoyed the n800, especially as a weekend computing device, I don't think that I have maximized it just yet. Now, if my treo keeps actin' up, that will not be a prob.

Nevertheless, here is a post I did earlier which was written on the n800:

Right now i am in the mist of using three phones at once. I have the SIM from my 680 in the N95 so that it can be updated by the internet connection being served by another. Of course, all of thus is being done via the desktop and so there is at least one more comp in the mix. This does free me to get some good time in with the n800 and bemoan the lack of a really well done touchpad bible.

Yikes, i fell asleep in the mist of typing this. The n800 is a good bedside device indeed.

Really, there are not too many missing items from this. Some better logic from the keyboard would be good as well as some wireless profile settings. And a really good hybrid bible app. That would be icing on the cake. the cake. the cake.

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, N95, Nokia, Treo 680, usablity

Technology is great and all. But amid the buzz of all the news that I come across, I have this (most probably annoying to God) tendency to ignore a boatload of news. As I was looking at the screen on the N800 a few minutes ago, this news item came up.

Before that post of a friend who did a mission trip, I really would have glazed this over. But today I didn't. While there is not much that I know that I can physically do, I do wonder how to pray for people in such circumstances. Ironically, part of the reading that I am doing just now